Ashes of Love and War - TodoMomo

||Chapter 18 ~ Part 1||

Sitting low over the frozen ocean, a dense fog of dark magic and steam cast two figures clashing on the ice in darkness.

A drop of perspiration ran down Shouto's neck. The air was heavy from the constant heating and cooling of the atmosphere, and a thin sheen of sweat coated his body. He tightened his hold on Endeavor and charged forward.

"Release Yaoyorozu and call back the stymphalian, and I may be merciful," Shouto snarled.

His cold heterochromia eyes flashed. His sword darted up towards Overhaul's throat. But the god was prepared. His black blade clashed against Endeavor with a shrill shriek.

"Now, where would the fun in that be, son of Ares?" the god asked. His soft, nasally voice, slightly muffled by the black beaked mask, taunted Shouto. Above the mask, Overhaul's golden eyes gleamed with a faint hint of mirth. Then the god's expression grew hard. "Alas, you are not my main objective — just a pest that needs to be exterminated along with the rest."

"What do you mean?" Shouto gritted his teeth and twisted.

Endeavor shrieked as it slid over Overhaul's blade, deflecting the xiphos. The swords broke apart with a loud clang, forcing Overhaul back. Shouto didn't pause. He pivoted, calling on his magic.

Ice erupted like torrents towards the god of nightmares. Overhaul twisted, vaulted into the air, and landed out of reach.

"Of course, the half-human half-monster beasts you've been so diligently protecting," the god sneered as he slid back on the ice.

Shouto's eyes narrowed. His blood sizzled. Bright red flames erupted down his left arm.

"They're only children. What could they have possibly done to you?" Shouto snapped, releasing a torrent of fire towards Overhaul.

There was a harsh whistling sound. Black magic shot out of the ice, wrapping around the god, shielding him as flames cut across the ice.

Hot steam mushroomed off of the frozen sea, hissing as the water evaporated from the force of the blast. In the middle of the frozen ocean, a black orb stood unscathed.

Shouto tsked as he watched the magic expand and pop with a soundless explosion, leaving Overhaul standing unharmed. Long-range attacks weren't effective against the god. He was too fast. The only way to win was to bring the battle into close combat.

Shouto adjusted his stance. His breath was growing ragged, and there was a sharp pain in his shoulder from the knife wound he sustained earlier. But he pushed the pain to the back of his mind. He couldn't give up.

Yaoyorozu needed him.

The bottom of Shouto's chest seemed to twist and crack. Still, his heart shook with the fact. No matter the cost, Shouto was going to save her and defeat Overhaul.

He swore it.

Ice erupted under his feet. Shouto raised his head and charged forward. His sword flicked up towards Overhaul's throat, fire danced along the blade. But the god was quick. A blur of onyx flashed to his right, and Shouto turned just in time to parry Overhaul's black xiphos.

Their swords connected with a ringing clash; fire and darkness erupted from the steel. The frozen ocean trembled under the impact.

"Why are you so intent on protecting them? Can't you see?" The god hissed, eyes flashing. "Half breeds are a disease. An abomination upon this world. Neither mortal, nor beast. They are grotesque mistakes that need to be wiped out."

The pressure against Endeavor increased. Shouto's arms shook, and the wound in his shoulder flared in agony. Shouto bit back a hiss of pain. The tendons in his neck strained as the god bore down on him.

"I appealed to the almighty Zeus, but my pleas were ignored. The only one who understood — who was willing to help — was your elder brother. But then you left Troy earlier than anticipated, and dear Ares called on Dabi to watch over your journey, delaying our plans. If not for you, Shouto Todoroki, this operation would have already concluded. This is all your fault!"

"Bastard! You're insane," Shouto snapped. He tried to push the god away, but the weight boring down on him was too strong. He glared. "The children didn't decide who their parents would be. They didn't choose to be born as half monsters. They've done nothing wrong!"

Overhaul's golden eyes glowed with conviction as he met Shouto's gaze. "Their existence is a sin!" Overhaul hissed. "Monsters are disgusting, but there is purpose in their existence. They check the balance between humans and do the bidding of the gods. But these half breeds have no place in this world. They are mistakes of creation brought about by obscenity. If not for the rule that gods can not directly interfere in the lives of mortals, I would have wiped them out myself instead of using those stupid stymphalian."

The god's rage rolled off of him in waves. He leaned forward. His black bird beak, inching closer to Shouto's face. Shouto could smell the dark, decaying scent of Overhaul's magic growing stronger.

"The only condolence is that demi-gods are exempt. So, I'm going to make you suffer, Shouto Todoroki. You'll watch your woman drown in her fears, and then I'll destroy you, son of Ares. Tear you limb from limb until there is nothing left of you but scraps of blood and flesh."

Pain throbbed in Shouto's shoulder. And he was losing strength to hold the god back. He needed to get away.

He couldn't lose now.

Shouto needed to save Yaoyorozu.

His fists tightened on Endeavor until his knuckles turned white. Shouto twisted, trying to divert Overhaul's blade. But the god stepped forward, blocking Shouto from escaping.

Overhaul's calculating eyes flickered. They shone like golden beacons in the dense fog. "I think it's about time we drew this to a close."

Inky darkness rose off of the god's back. The dark magic twisted then struck out like a viper towards Shouto.

Shouto's stomach dropped. Endeavor was still locked with Overhaul's xiphos. He wouldn't be able to dodge.

He braced himself for the searing pain, but it didn't come. Shouto jerked his head up, and his breath caught in his throat.

The dark magic, stretching out towards him disintegrated into pieces of black ash. As if it were made of brittle dust, the pieces of magic floated up into the sky and disappeared into the fog.

Shouto's heart pounded; he stared stunned. He didn't understand what had happened.

Across from him, Overhaul coughed. There was a soft pattering noise like raindrops hitting the frozen ocean, and Shouto's attention darted down. His eyes widened at the silver liquid splattered across the ice.

Ichor — God's blood.